I drove Acura’s $62,000 TLX to see if it could compete with Cadillac and BMW
A 2024 Acura TLX Type S.
Since its launch in 1986 as Honda’s premium nameplate, Acura has firmly established itself as a purveyor of fun-to-drive luxury automobiles.
Vehicles like the compact Integra and the NSX supercar (B-17 2016 Car of the Year), have helped firmly establish the brand’s reputation among enthusiasts.
Since the NSX sailed off into the sunset in 2022, the TLX Type S has taken up the mantle as the brand’s performance flagship, competing against the Audi S4, Cadillac CT5-V, Genesis G70, and BMW M340i xDrive.
The current generation of Acura’s compact TLX luxury sedan launched in 2021 and received a mid-cycle refresh in 2024 with tweaked styling, updated tech, and a quieter cabin.
I recently spent a week on the roads the winding roads north of Atlanta in a gray 2024 Acura TLX Type S sedan.
The 2024 Acura TLX Type S sedan.
I was impressed by the TLX’s powerful turbocharged V6 engine, superb torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, and sleek looks.
I didn’t have a whole lot to complain about, but I found the rear seats to be a bit short on space, while Acura’s trackpad-controlled infotainment system is unwieldy and detracts from the user experience.
My test car came to $62,276.
The rear end of the TLX Type S.
The base four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive Acura TLX with Technology Package starts at $45,000, while my range-topping, all-wheel-drive V6 Type S starts at $57,000.
Freight fees, premium paint, and optional high-performance wheels and tires pushed the as-tested price for the Ohio-built Acura to $62,276.
Acura made a couple of small revisions to the TLX’s front facia.
The TLX Type S front grille.
The most noticeable differences are the deletions of the black frame around the TLX’s diamond pentagon grille and the rectangular plexiglass panel protecting the Acura logo on the grille. Although minor, the revisions make for a cleaner and classier-looking front end.
The Type S gets a special front splitter for improved downforce.
The TLX Type S’s rear-end design, complete with a decklid spoiler, remains unchanged.
The 2024 Acura TLX Type S sedan.
The Type S also gets a set of large quad exhausts and a rear diffuser.
From the side, you immediately notice the TLX’s long hood and sloping rear roofline.
The driver’s side of a 2024 Acura TLX Type S.
Despite having the internal dimensions of a compact sedan, the TLX, at 194.6 inches long, is the same length as a midsize Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
My test car came with these stylish, lightweight 20-inch copper-finish Y-spoke alloy wheels.
The TLX Type S’s 20-inch copper alloy wheels.
The copper-finish wheels and performance Pirelli Pzero tires were pricey options at $3,481 but totally worth it.
Under the TLX Type S’s hood is a 3.0-liter, turbocharged V6 engine.
The TLX Type S sedan’s turbocharged V6.
The Acura TLX Type S is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 engine equipped with a single twin-scroll turbocharger, producing 355 horsepower and 354 lb.-ft. of torque. Its mated to a 10-speed, automatic transmission.
Although its output is lower than the powerplants found in some of its rivals, the TLX’s V6 is more than potent enough for the job.
It’s smooth, and its twin-scroll turbo helps it generate that power consistently and predictably.
My Type S test car boasted EPA fuel economy figures of 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.
The TLX’s torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system is a real jewel.
A 2024 Acura TLX Type S.
Outside of the base TLX Technology Package, all other TLX trims come standard with the Acura’s excellent Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD) system.
Using a pair of hydraulically operated clutch packs, SH-AWD can send up to 70% of the engine’s power to the back and then distribute as much as 100% of that power to either one of the rear wheels.
The system provides the nimble cornering capability of a rear-wheel drive vehicle with the traction and stability of all-wheel-drive.
The TLX Type S comes with four different drive modes, selected using a rotary dial on the center stack.
The Acura TLX Type S drive mode selector.
For 2024, Acura sharpened up the throttle response for the Sport+ mode, which is used for maximum acceleration.
The Acura TLX Type S is an absolute blast to drive.
The red leather front seats in my 2024 TLX Type S.
The TLX Type S is a legit sports sedan.
Its 355 horsepower, turbocharged V6 pulls strong through its broad power band. The 10-speed automatic transmission shifts quickly and smoothly.
According to Motor Trend, the Acura TLX Type S can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds.
Its steering is communicative and beautifully weighted. The TLX’s finely tuned chassis and adaptive dampers helped it remain composed through the corners while pampering its occupants on the highway.
Despite being built on a front-wheel-drive platform, the TLX powers through the twisty bits with the zeal of a rear-wheel-drive sports sedan thanks to its clever torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system.
The Type S’s optional four-piston Brembo front brakes helped ensure consistent and confident braking action.
Inside, the TLX is luxurious and stylish.
The TLX Type S front dash.
The TLX’s cabin is a true standout.
The biggest update to the interior is the new 12.3-inch screen, which comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The seats are exceptionally comfortable, and the bright red leather upholstery is a not-so-subtle reminder that this isn’t any ordinary luxury sedan.
Cabin ergonomics, along with material and build quality, are generally excellent.
Despite being heavy on buttons, the front dash is logically organized, so everything you need is easy to find.
The TLX’s cabin is also quieter than before. Acura improved and increased cabin noise insulation while also upgrading its ambient noise cancellation system.
Instead of a traditional gauge cluster, there is a new digital display.
The TLX Type S’s digital gauge cluster.
The 12.3-inch digital instrument display looks great and is configurable.
Also in front of the driver is a 10.5-inch head-up display only available on the Type S.
Unfortunately, the entire infotainment experience falls apart thanks to its touch pad controller.
The TLX’s center console.
Instead of being a touchscreen, Acura requires you to use a touchpad to navigate its infotainment system. The entire experience was unwieldy and especially difficult to manage while driving.
My test car also came with a handy surround-view camera system.
The TLX’s surround view camera.
The feature, only available on the Type S, can be manually triggered by tapping a button, smartly located at the end of a stalk on the right side of the steering column.
The TLX Type S’s ELS Studio premium audio system sounded great.
The TLX’s ELX Studio sounds system.
The 17-speaker system, available on the A-Spec and Type S, delivered a rich, powerful, bass-heavy sound.
The TLX’s rear seats were disappointingly small with just 34.9 inches of legroom.
The rear seats in a 2024 Acura TLX Type S.
The TLX offers less rear passenger legroom than the compact Mercedes-Benz C-Class despite being the same length as the larger E-Class.
Out back, the TLX has a decently sized trunk with 13.5 cubic feet of space.
The TLX’s trunk.
The rear seats fold down for additional cargo-carrying ability, but there is bracing that crisis crosses the opening, severely limiting the ability to accommodate longer items.
All TLXs comes standard with the Acurawatch suite of safety and driver assistance features.
The 2024 Acura TLX Type S.
Acurawatch includes forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking with advanced pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, traffic sign recognition, blind spot information, lane change alert, rear cross-traffic monitor, auto high beam, and parking sensors.
My verdict: The Acura TLX Type S isn’t the track day hero it looks to be, but it’s perfect to make your daily commute a whole lot more fun.
The 2024 Acura TLX Type S.
Despite the lightweight wheels, sticky Pirelli rubber, Brembo brakes, and large quad exhausts, the Acura TLX Type S was never designed to excel on the track.
If track day fun is your cup of tea, there are other options in this price range, like the Cadillac CT5-V, that are far better suited to the usage case.
But for everyday life, the TLX Type S is simply outstanding.
It looks great, the seats are comfortable, and it’s loaded with tech. At the same time, the turbocharged V6 engine partners with Acura’s brilliant Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive system to inject an extra dose of fun into your commute.
In fact, if I had to pick, the Acura TLX Type S might just be my daily driver of choice.
